Sydney the kangaroo hops into the sunset

Courtesy Photo

Cookie and William Sampson with their adopted daughter, Sydney

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

One of Clarksville’s cutest – and most unusual – residents, Sydney the kangaroo, passed away last Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.

Her mom, Cookie Sampson, reported Sydney, 17, died of old age and cancer. The average age of a kangaroo is 15.

Sydney Ruth Sampson lived in Clarksville since November 2002, when she was adopted by Cookie and William Sampson. She was well-known over the years as a visitor to schools, day care centers, and nursing homes.

Cookie said adopting the Australian Red Kangaroo was the fulfillment of a dream she held since childhood. “I always wanted one, for as long as I can remember,” she said.

Sydney was named for the Australian city where her ancestors came from, but she was born in the U.S. and sold to the Sampsons by a Texas veterinarian licensed to sell exotic animals.

Cookie said her middle name, Ruth, was taken from the Biblical figure because the name means friend or companion.

Over the years Sydney met many people and made many friends in Clarksville. Cookie said when the kangaroo was new in town, she was quite the novelty.

“The police department asked The Clarksville Times to do a story about her,” said Cookie. “People saw me walking with Sydney on a leash and thought they were seeing things!”